Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Division 2 Patient Assessment

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Chapter 14 Communications

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Topics Role and Importance of Communications Phases of Communications Data Collection Technology and Information Exchange Components of an EMS Communications System

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Introduction Knowledge of communications plays an important role in your paramedic training. All aspects of prehospital care require effective, efficient communications. Communication is the key link in the chain that results in the best possible patient outcome.

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Communication The process of exchanging information between individuals

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Basic Communication Model Sender has an idea, or message. Sender encodes message. Sender sends message. Receiver receives message. Receiver decodes message. Receiver gives feedback to sender.

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Example of an EMS System Using Repeaters

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Verbal Communication Factors that enhance or impede effective communication may be either: Semantic (the meaning of words) or Technical (communications hardware)

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Your communication network must consist of reliable equipment designed to afford clear communication among all agencies within the system.

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ A radio system is a critical component of an EMS system. Radio Band—a range of radio frequencies Radio Frequencies—the number of times per minute a radio wave oscillates Ultrahigh Frequency (UHF)—radio frequency band from 300 to 3,000 megahertz

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Common Radio Terms Used in Emergency Services

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Written Communication An important aspect of EMS communications. A prehospital care report (PCR) is a written record of an EMS response.

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ A PCR is a legal document, admissible in court.

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ The EMS Response (1 of 2) Detection and citizen access Call-taking and emergency response Pre-arrival instructions Call coordination and incident recording

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ The EMS Response (2 of 2) Discussion with medical direction physician Transfer communications Back in service, ready for next call

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Detection and Citizen Response

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Automatic Collision Notification (ACN) Collision sensors connected to in-vehicle systems automatically send a wireless alert signal to response centers. They transmit: –Accident location information –Rate car deceleration occurred –Forces applied to the vehicle –Direction forces were applied –Number of times the car rolled over –Final resting position Sent even if motorists are incapacitated. NHTSA-sponsored initiative

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Call-Taking and Emergency Response © Jeff Forster

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Pre-arrival Instructions © Mark C. Ide

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Call Coordination and Incident Recording © Jeff Forster

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Discussion with Medical Direction Physician © Jeff Forster

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Communication Technology EMS systems use all of today’s various communication technologies. These include traditional forms of radio communication as well as innovations in radio technology and other media.

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ A basic communications system using simplex transmissions

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Duplex transmissions allow simultaneous two-way communications.

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Multiplex systems can transmit voice and data at the same time.

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Cellular Phone

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Cellular Phones Emergency calls from wireless telephones may be routed out of primary service area. Areas with poor cellular tower coverage may have difficulty in triangulating the patient’s position. Use a recorded line for contact with medical direction—PROTECT YOURSELF.

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Reporting Procedures One of your most important skills will be gathering essential patient information, organizing it, and relaying it to the medical direction physician.

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Standard Reporting Format (1 of 2) Identification of unit and provider Description of scene Patient’s age, sex, and approximate weight Patient’s chief complaint Brief pertinent history (OPQRST)

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Standard Reporting Format (2 of 2) Pertinent past medical history (SAMPLE) Pertinent physical exam findings Treatment given so far/request for orders Estimated time of arrival at the hospital Other pertinent information

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Being concise, descriptive, and thorough are hallmarks of a professional.

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Elements of Medical Patient Report Paramedic identification Patient identification Subjective data Objective data Plan

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Elements of Trauma Patient Report Paramedic identification Patient identification Mechanism of injury Injuries Plan

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Federal Communications Commission (FCC) The agency that controls all nongovernmental communications in the United States

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ The FCC Licenses and allocates radio frequencies Establishes technical standards Monitors frequencies to assure appropriate usage Spot checks base stations and dispatch centers for appropriate licenses and records

Bledsoe et al., Essentials of Paramedic Care: Division 1I © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Summary Role and Importance of Communications Phases of Communications Data Collection Technology and Information Exchange Components of an EMS Communications System